TOURS TOURS - Group 1 Thursday, Aug 3 Tastes of North Beach Biking the Bridge/Sausalito Muir Woods/Sausalito Biking Golden Gate Park Highlights City Bus Tour Legion of Honor Museum Tour Friday, Aug 4 TOURS - Group 2 Sunday, Aug 6 Tastes of North Beach Biking the Bridge/Sausalito Muir Woods/Sausalito Biking Golden Gate Park Highlights City Bus Tour Legion of Honor Museum Tour Monday, Aug 7 Tastes of North Beach Biking the Bridge/Sausalito Muir Woods/Sausalito Biking Golden Gate Park Highlights City Bus Tour Legion of Honor Museum Tour Tastes of North Beach Biking the Bridge/Sausalito Muir Woods/Sausalito Biking Golden Gate Park Highlights City Bus Tour
TASTES OF NORTH BEACH 10:00 AM 1:00 PM Part of the old Barbary Coast, North Beach is steeped in the past -- Grant Avenue itself is the oldest street in San Francisco. Back when North Beach was an actual beach, it was home to fishing wharves and boat docks that drew in Italian American immigrants at the turn of the twentieth century. The neighborhood became known as Little Italy and still retains this feel today with restaurants, cafes and gelato shops that are reminders of Italian towns. In more recent history, Little Italy was home to the Beat Generation of poets. These people filled the cafes, bookstores and bars of the area during the 1950 s and 1960 s. On this tour you and your guide will leisurely stroll at flat 7-8 block area of North Beach, the Little Italy of San Francisco, while you learn the about the history and the foods here that make this area so distinct and defined. Some of your stops will include: Café Romas - coffee drinks, teas and Italian sodas Marios - focaccia sandwiches Z Cioccolat - one of the top chocolatier in the US Stella Pastry cannoli maker since 1942 Molinari delicatessen - a local deli that has been making salami in San Francisco since 1896 Il Casaro - real Italian pizza, with homemade mozzarella made in a wood burning oven. You will transfer from the Fairmont by motor coach to North Beach (about 10 minutes). Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Lunch is not included in this tour. Return transfer to hotel at conclusion of tour, with option of drop off at Fisherman s Wharf to explore on your own for the afternoon.
BIKING THE BRIDGE/SAUSALITO 8:30 AM 2:00 PM Bike the Bridge! This is truly the best way to see the bay, and is perfect for those seeking an up close & personal look at our city s most celebrated landmark. The tour begins at the picturesque Aquatic Park in Fisherman s Wharf. The mostly flat National Park Bike Path will take you through Fort Mason, the Marina, Presidio National Park, and onto the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way, your guide will share entertaining and educational information with you, including the history behind the Golden Gate Bridge. You ll cross the bridge on the sidewalk with stunning views of the city and bay, followed by a 10 minute downhill ride taking you right into the charming bayside town of Sausalito. Once there, you will enjoy lunch at The Trident, a local landmark seafood restaurant The Trident restaurant was built in 1898, it is still replete with the elegance of that bygone age with its rich redwood paneling, mural on the ceiling and ornate decorative motifs. It eventually became the home of the San Francisco Yacht Club. In 1966 it became a music & concert venue. Robin Williams worked there as a bus boy. Janis Joplin had her own table when she came in. Clint Eastwood and Sonny Barger (head of the Hell s Angel s) hung out regularly at the bar together. In 1972 and 1975, after their concerts, the Rolling Stones held private parties there. Today it has toned down a bit, and offers a relaxing setting on the harbor with spectacular view of San Francisco and the bay. After lunch you will have some time to walk around the harbor and visit the shops before taking the Ferry back to San Francisco. Once in San Francisco you will have a transfer back to the hotel, or the option to stay on the wharf on your own. Note: Your bike will have handlebar bag and water bottle. Wear casual attire/tennis shoes. Consider bringing a windbreaker/hat/sunglasses/sunscreen. There is one steep uphill before the bridge that you can walk if necessary. The ride can be windy, especially up on the bridge.
MUIR WOODS/SAUSALITO 8:00 AM 2:00 PM Muir Woods was once home to the Coast Miwok people, who hunted deer in the forest. With the Gold Rush there came a great need for timber, meat, crops and land. Soon, deer, elk, bear, cougar and coyote began disappearing because of over-hunting. Most easily accessible Bay Area, the timber was logged between 1840 and 1870. However, Muir Woods, then known as Redwood Canyon, underwent little logging because it was not accessible. Still vulnerable to development, the land was purchased and then donated to the Federal Government at the urging of John Muir, scientist, author and one of the first conservationists. Named in John's honor, Muir Woods was proclaimed a National Monument on January 9, 1908. Depart the hotel and cross the Golden Gate Bridge, taking in spectacular Pacific Ocean & San Francisco Bay vistas in a 45 minute drive to the entrance to Muir Woods National Monument. Your walk among the magical giant redwood trees will be at your own pace. The trails cover 2 to 4 miles inside the Muir Woods forest. You will experience the rare morning serenity of an ancient redwood forest. The indigenous flora and fauna will unfold before you as you explore these peaceful woods. It is possible to see some wildlife and marvel at the magnificent Redwood trees that have survived here for hundreds of years. After visiting Muir Woods, you will take the shuttle to Sausalito for lunch at The Trident. After lunch you will have some time to walk around the harbor and visit the shops before taking the Ferry back to San Francisco, arriving at the Ferry Building. Once in San Francisco you will have a transfer back to the hotel, or the option to stay and enjoy the Ferry Building shops and delicacies, and explore the wharf area on your own.
BIKING GOLDEN GATE PARK 8:30 AM 1:00 PM Looking for a new experience in San Francisco? Cruise through Golden Gate Park and take in the sights, sounds and nature of one of San Francisco s greatest treasures. It is home to world-class museums, playgrounds, lakes, picnicking spots and trails. Ingeniously cultivated from barren dunes during the late 1800s, Golden Gate Park was already referred to as "famous" and "old" by the turn of the 20th century, and several of its major features date back to that time. The Conservatory of Flowers first opened in 1879, and the Music Stand area and Japanese Tea Garden were originally built for the California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894. Three miles long and half a mile wide, Golden Gate Park is a sprawling patchwork of lawns, gardens, meadows, lakes, and paths that go in every direction but straight. The morning begins with a brief transfer to pick up your bikes. You guide will take you on the city streets through the Haight-Ashbury district as you make your way into the park. We will bike through all three sections of this 3 mile park East, Middle and West. Your first 20 minute stop in the East section will be the Conservatory of Flowers. Originally assembled from crated pieces between 1877 and 1878 (at a cost of $2,050), this glass and wood greenhouse has weathered storm damage, fire, and the 1906 earthquake. The entire structure was virtually taken apart and put back together in a four-year, $25 million dollar restoration which was completed in 2003. Amazing exotic plants are beautifully displayed in themed exhibitions in the steamy chambers of its interior. Then continue riding on JFK Drive toward the Middle Section, passing by the Japanese Tea Garden. Dating to 1894, this garden's current beautiful state belies a turbulent political history. Until 1952, the garden was called Oriental Tea Garden, removing the reference to its Japanese origin. We can make a stop near the DeYoung Museum and Music Stand. Heading into the West section you will pass Spreckels Lake, Bison Paddock, and finally, the Dutch Windmill, all with their own unique stories from the past. The last stop at the end of the ride is at Beach Chalet. The City of San Francisco built the Beach Chalet in 1925, at a cost of $60,000, to provide facilities for beach goers. In 1936, under the auspices of the Works Project Administration (WPA), artistic projects of frescoes, mosaics and a magnolia wood staircase were installed on the first floor. During WWII the Army commandeered the Beach Chalet for use as its Coastal Defense Headquarters. The soldiers moved out in 1941, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) took over. In 1981 the National Park Service declared the Beach Chalet a National Landmark. Today it is a restaurant that has survived nature and man, wedged between Golden Gate Park and the Pacific Ocean. After lunch, your bikes will be picked up and you will board our motor coach for an easier ride back to the Fairmont, with optional drop off in the Wharf area if you want to explore on your own. Distance approx. 6 miles, mostly flat, some hills. Ride time is approximately 1.5 hours. *****The Conservatory of Flowers is closed on Monday, so for the Aug 7 tour a stop will be made near the Music Stand. Developed for the 1894 Mid-Winter Fair, this concourse is now the heart of Golden Gate Park's "museum district". The Music Stand was completed in 1900, and still hosts music performances on Sundays. Many of the park's historically controversial statues are scattered in and around the concourse area.
CITY NEIGHBORHOODS TOUR 8:30 AM 1:00 PM See some of San Francisco s most iconic sites and neighborhoods in this relaxing ride with a knowledgeable guide sharing historical stories and insight about the area. This tour stops/schedule can fluctuate depending on weather (fog) and traffic. Highlights of your tour are: Nob Hill The location of The Fairmont, Grace Cathedral and the start of our journey. Ride through the North Beach area for a glimpse into the Little Italy of San Francisco and continue toward the north shore. Along the city s norther shore lies the Marina District, an area that evolved from ocean dunes to exposition grounds to fishing haven to quaint residential area. You will stop at the Palace of Fine Arts, the site of the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition.. The Golden Gate Bridge stop brings us stories of politics, stunning engineering, terrifying geology, ripping currents and tides, famous fog, sailboats under your feet, fearless ironworkers and cowardly bankers...and an amazing view. You will have the opportunity to get out and walk along the bridge and take photos. Head toward the famous Victorians and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the Alamo Square Historic District, enjoying a short walk here. Pass through The Presidio with its rich history spanning back to the time of the native Ohlone people. The Spanish arrived in 1776 to establish the northernmost outpost of their empire in western North America. The Presidio fell under Mexican rule for 24 years before the U.S. Army took control in 1846. Over 148 years, the U.S. Army transformed the Presidio grounds from mostly windswept dunes and scrub to a verdant, preeminent military post. In 1962, the Presidio was designated a National Historic Site. Drive though a portion of Golden Gate Park toward the Cliff House. Lunch will be at the legendary Cliff House. Constructed in 1863 as a fashionable resort for the wealthy, the modest one-story wood-frame structure was skillfully situated on top of the cliff overlooking Seal Rocks, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Coast line. During the mid-19th century, trekking out to Lands End was expensive and took several hours by horseback. Eventually, a horse-drawn stagecoach made the trip every Sunday from downtown San Francisco out to Lands End. The exclusive guest register bore the names of three U.S. presidents as well as prominent San Francisco families such as the Hearsts, the Stanfords and the Crockers. It burned down twice and was rebuilt. In 1977 the National Park Service acquired the property and restosred the historic Cliff House to its original 1909 neoclassical design.
ALCATRAZ 8:30 AM 2:00 PM ***NOTE: If you want to take this tour, the ticket purchase is still pending approval by the National Parks Service (tickets sell out months in advance). Please go ahead and sign up. If not available, you will be asked to pick an alternative choice. Once home to some of America's most notorious criminals, Alcatraz Island became the home to the federal penitentiary that operated here from 1934 to 1963, bringing a dark mystique to the Rock. The presence of infamous inmates like Al "Scarface" Capone, and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud helped to establish the island's notoriety. To this day, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world's most legendary prisons. Many people, though, are unaware of the wealth of other stories to be learned on the island. Alcatraz is now home to rare flowers and plants, marine wildlife, and thousands of roosting and nesting sea birds. Civil Warera buildings dotting the island give insight into the 19th century when the island served as both a harbor defense fort and a military prison. You can also see visible reminders of the American Indian Occupation that started in 1969 after the prison closed, highlighting an important milestone in the American Indian rights movement. You will transfer by shuttle to Pier 33 to board the ferry for a short ride to Alcatraz. Once on the island you are on your own to take the self-guided audio tour at your own pace. Guides are not allowed to give private tours on the island. Your group will have a designated time to meet and return on the ferry. Upon return, take a short walk to Alioto s restaurant on the wharf for a seaside lunch. After lunch you are free to stay and explore the wharf, or take the shuttle back to the hotel.
LEGION OF HONOR MUSEUM TOUR 10 AM 1 PM Group 1 Thursday, Aug 3 Friday, Aug 4 Group 2 Sunday, Aug 6 The collections at the Legion of Honor offer unique insight into the art historical, political, and social movements of the previous 4,000 years of human history. Holdings include European paintings; European decorative arts and sculpture; ancient art from the Mediterranean basin; and one of the nation s largest repositories of works of art on paper. Annie Labatt, who created and led our customized 2016 tour of the Museum of Art in Chicago, now introduces us to San Francisco s Legion of Honor. She will take us on a journey through the museum, sharing with us her knowledge of facts and stories of the history behind selective pieces in such a way that we enjoy a deeper understanding of and appreciation for each piece. The Legion of Honor was the gift of Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, wife of the sugar magnate and thoroughbred racehorse owner/breeder Adolph B. Spreckels. The building is a full-scale replica of the French Pavilion at the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition, which in turn was a three-quarter-scale version of the Palais de la Légion d'honneur also known as the Hôtel de Salm in Paris. At the close of the exposition, which was located just a few miles away, the French government granted Spreckels permission to construct a permanent replica of the French Pavilion, but World War I delayed the groundbreaking until 1921. The museum building occupies an elevated site in Lincoln Park in the northwest of the city, with views over the Golden Gate Bridge. Most of the surrounding Lincoln Park Golf Course is on the site of a potter's field called the "Golden Gate Cemetery" that the City had bought in 1867. Famous works on display include pieces by François Boucher, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, David, El Greco, Giambattista Pittoni, Rubens, and many of the Impressionists and post-impressionists Degas, Renoir, Monet, Pissarro, Seurat, Cézanne and others. There are also representative works by key 20th century figures such as Braque and Picasso, and works of contemporary artists like Gottfried Helnwein and Robert Crumb. We will have lunch after the tour. Annie Labatt is a professor of medieval art history at UTSA. She recently completed a series comprised of twenty lectures at the San Antonio Museum of Art called "Art History 101...without the exams." She received her PhD from Yale University in 2011 in Byzantine Art History and worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on two exhibitions about Byzantine art.
San Francisco Map for reference on tours to Muir and Sausalito.
Suggestions for leisure time: Chinatown just a few blocks from the hotel Fisherman s Wharf some tours will offer the option to stay at the wharf on your own. Explore Ghirardelli Square, the shops, and beach. Cable Car Museum Located in the historic Washington/Mason cable car barn and powerhouse, the museum deck overlooks the huge engines and winding wheels that pull the cables. Downstairs is a viewing area of the large sheaves and cable line entering the building through the channel under the street. The museum is just a few blocks from the hotel. Entrance is free. Climb up to Coit Tower. A tough climb just to get up to the base. There is usually a wait to get inside but the views from the base are exceptional also. There is an entry fee. Ride the cable car. The least crowded line is the California line. Catch it at the Ferry Building. It goes up and down California St, with a stop at the Fairmont.